The GSAT-11 (also called -Big Bird) will deliver multi-spot beam coverage over the Indian mainland and nearby islands bringing significant advantages to the user community.

The GSAT-11 is the next generation high throughput communication satellite that will play a vital role in providing broadband services across the country.

It will also provide a platform to demonstrate new generation applications such as in flights internet connectivity.

The satellite is expected to have a lifespan of 15 years.

2. EX SHINYUU Maitri-2018 With JASDF Commences

The Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) is in India for five days bilateral air exercise SHINYUU Maitri-18 with Indian Air Force at A F Station Agra.

The theme of the exercise is joint Mobility/Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) on Transport aircraft.

The focus of the exercise is set for the IAF and JASDF crews to undertake Joint Mobility/ HADR operations.

Important Dates

3. World Soil Day being observed today

The World Soil Day is being observed annually on 5th December to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and advocating for the sustainable management of soil resources.

The theme for 2018 World Soil Day is 'Be the Solution to Soil Pollution'.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization:

The Soil holds three times as much carbon as the atmosphere and can help us meet the challenges of a changing climate.

95% of our food comes from the soil.

33% of our global soils are already degraded

4. International Volunteer Day observed today

The International Volunteer Day (IVD) observed every year on 5th December.

The theme of IVD 2018 is: ‘Volunteers build Resilient Communities’.

IVD 2018 celebrates volunteer efforts that strengthen local ownership and the resilience of the community in the face of natural disasters, economic stresses and political shocks.

National Affairs

5. India Water Impact Summit-2018 begins in Delhi

The Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated the three days ‘India Water Impact Summit 2018’ in New Delhi (5-7th December 2018).

The IWIS-2018 being jointly organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga).

A number of Indian Central Government Ministries, as well as all key decision makers responsible for delivering the rejuvenation of the Ganga, will also be present at the Summit.

Note:

The India Water Impact Summit is an annual event where stakeholders get together to discuss, debate and develop model solutions for some of the biggest water-related problems in the country.

The Summit will focus on three key aspects:

Spotlight on 5 states (Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi and Bihar).

Ganga Financing Forum: It will bring a number of institutions to a common knowledge, information and partnership platform.

Technology and Innovation: It will provide an opportunity to technology and innovation companies from around the world to showcase their solutions for addressing the problems prevalent in the river basin.

6. International conference on bears starts in Agra

The first time, more than 80 delegates from 11 countries are participating in a four-day International conference on bears being organized in Agra (Uttar Pradesh).

The objective of the conference to share knowledge on principles of the welfare of bears and other wild animals in zoos, sanctuaries and rescue centres.

The conference has been Hosted by Wildlife SOS in collaboration with Bear Care Group from the US and Canada.

9. Bihar govt sets Rs 100 fee for family property split

Bihar state’s cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has fixed Rs. 100 as the charge for people to get their property registered after the division of family’s immovable assets.

Earlier, the charges for registration of property was 5% (3% stamp duty & 2% registration fee) of the value of property registration fee, as per the prevailing minimum value register (MVR) of the area.

This is a decision related to public welfare and will reduce tension, disputes, violence and cases in society.

India and the United Arab Emirates have signed two agreements, one on currency swap and the second agreement would enable both sides to undertake development projects in Africa.

Note:

Currency Swap is a pact between two countries that allows trading in their own currency and payments to import and export trade at pre-determined exchange rate without bringing in a third benchmark currency like the US dollars.

Sports

12. Gautam Gambhir announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Former India opening batsman Gautam Gambhir (37-year) has announced his retirement from all forms of Cricket.

Gambhir played in 58 Tests (from 2004 to 2016), scoring 4,154 runs at an average of 41.95, with the help of 9 hundred and 22 fifties.

He also played in 147 ODIs between 2003 and 2013, besides featuring in 37 T20 Internationals.

Gautam Gambhir is a left-handed opening batsman who played domestic cricket for Delhi and captained Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Under Gambhir's captaincy, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won their IPL title in 2012 and again in 2014.

He was conferred the Arjuna Award (2008) by the President of India.

13. IPL: Delhi Daredevils renamed as Delhi Capitals

Delhi Daredevils was renamed as 'Delhi Capitals' after a poor track record over the past 11 IPL seasons.

Co-owners Parth Jindal (representing JSW Sport) and Kiran Kumar Grandhi (GMR) unveiled the new name of the team.

Shreyas Iyer will continue to lead the team despite the presence of Shikhar Dhawan.

Dhawan returns to Delhi for the 2019 season after being traded by Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Australian great Ricky Ponting will continue to coach the team.

Note:

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in India, founded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2008.

The league is regarded as the brainchild of Lalit Modi (founder and former commissioner of the league)